Research and analysis

Yorkshire water situation: March 2025 summary

Updated 14 April 2025

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. Summary

Rainfall was below normal for most of March 2025 and continued the pattern of the previous 3 months. River flows were below normal for the time of year and in a number of Pennine catchments were exceptionally low for the time of year. However, soils remained wet and groundwater levels followed their normal seasonal trend. Reservoir stocks were below average for the time of year.

2. Rainfall

Rainfall totals for March were lower than normal across Yorkshire which reflected a month in which many locations had a large number of days without any recorded precipitation.

Monthly rainfall totals across Yorkshire were classified as below normal in the Ouse, Rye, upper and lower Derwent, Don, Hull and Humberside catchments. They were notably low in the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe, Aire and Calder. Monthly rainfall totals across Yorkshire were between 32% and 49% of the long term average (LTA).

During the month many rain gauges recorded more than 17 days without rainfall although in the Don and Rother catchments there were only 6 days without any recorded rainfall. There were 2 short wet periods during the month. On days 13 and 14 in the Esk and a more widespread event across Yorkshire on days 22 and 23. Larger rainfall totals were recorded on day 22 in the Don and Rother catchments than elsewhere. A rain gauge in the Don catchment recorded 30mm of rain on day 22 which was 62% of the LTA.

3. Soil moisture deficit

Across Yorkshire soils remained wet but were no longer saturated. This reflected the low evaporation rates normal for late winter and early spring.

4. River flows

Monthly mean river flows in all catchments across Yorkshire were below normal for the time of year and varied from 24% to 79% of the LTA. In some Pennine catchments, such as the Swale, Ure, Ouse, Wharfe, and Calder, the monthly mean river flows were either exceptionally or notably low with flows less than 40% of the LTA. The southern Pennine catchments of the Don and Rother had monthly mean flows that were notably low and between 40% to 50% of LTA. Elsewhere the pattern was more mixed with flows that ranged from below normal to notably low and between 50% to 79% of their LTA monthly flow.

In the Pennine catchments flows steadily decreased from the start of the month until day 21, with more than 11 days of continuously notable or exceptional low flows in all catchments. Flows temporarily increased to within normal range on day 22 and 23 in response to a short period of rainfall, but then rapidly declined until the end of the month.

In the Esk, flows remained below normal range for the first 12 days and then, in response to rainfall, briefly increased to above normal range on day 13 and 14. Flows then receded and maintained within normal range for the rest of the month.

In the Derwent and the Rye flows remained within the below normal range for most of the days within the month with very little change.

In the chalk catchments of the West Beck and the upper Hull, spring supported river flows slowly declined from day 1 to 27. Flows reached the below normal range from day 18.

5. Groundwater levels   

5.1 Magnesian Limestone

The groundwater level within the Magnesian Limestone at Brick House Farm decreased this month but remained notably high for the time of year.

5.2 Millstone Grit

The groundwater level decreased within the Millstone Grit at Hill Top Farm to notably low for the time of year. However, the groundwater level recorded here may affected by pumping from the borehole for water abstraction.

5.3 Sherwood Sandstone

The groundwater level in the Sherwood Sandstone at Great Ouseburn decreased to above normal for the time of year. Groundwater levels also decreased at Riccall Approach Farm but remained normal for the time of year.

5.4 Corallian Limestone

The groundwater level decreased within the Corallian Limestone at Sproxton to below normal for the time of year.

5.5 Chalk

The groundwater level decreased at Wetwang (northern Yorkshire Wolds chalk) to below normal for the time of year, and at Dalton Estate (central Yorkshire Wolds chalk) levels decreased to normal for the time of year.

6. Reservoir stocks

Reservoir stocks were near full in the first week and then reduced gradually over the next 3 weeks. By the second week of the month reservoir stocks had fallen to below the long term average for March.

Author: Environment Agency, hydrology.northeast@environment-agency.gov.uk

All data are provisional and may be subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants or agents accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.  

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